Downing Street for BMC-funded Wildfire Officer invited to represent team

Access News
•
28 Sep
•
2 min read

This month, BMC-funded Wildfire Engagement Officer, Damian, went to no.10 to represent the entire ranger and volunteer team who have worked tirelessly to protect the Peak District from wildfire this summer.

This was a special event at no.10 Downing Street with the Prime Minister to thank those who have supported their communities during this year's heatwaves. Damian attended the gathering alongside representatives from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, Mountain Rescue England & Wales, the RLNI, St. John's Ambulance, National Parks, Wildlife Trusts and homeless charities.

As BMC-funded Wildfire Engagement Officer, Damian patrols and educates visitors to the Sheffield Moors area alongside rangers from the Peak District National Park and Eastern Moors Partnership and a team of volunteers from the local community. Damian has worked alongside a partnership effort to help prevent wildfires and is supporting the development of a Peak District Wildfire prevention group.

Damian was honoured to represent the dedicated rangers and volunteers that he has been working with as Wildfire Engagement Officer since April 2026.
Damian's role is made possible due to funding from the BMC Access & Conservation Trust and the position is managed collaboratively by Moors for the Future Partnership (MFFP), Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA) and Eastern Moors Partnership (EMP).

The Prime Minister speaks

Damian says, "We were shown through into the garden where everyone was mingling and sharing stories. It was a good opportunity to chat with High Peak MP Jon Pearce, staff from other National Parks where there have been wildfires, a firefighter from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service and the drone operator from Buxton Mountain Rescue.

"In talking to a couple of people from homeless charities, I also learnt about how they were responding to dehydrated people who live on the streets, and how another group were building more shade into public spaces to help those struggling to leave their houses in the heat.

"Then there was a hush as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, stepped up to the microphone. He's a very good communicator and he sees the value in building from the ground up. It's very clear that he supports grassroots communities, volunteers and emergency service organisations pulling together in times of need."

A number of incidents have required intervention by Damian, colleagues from the Eastern Moors Partnership, Peak District National Park and volunteers that have potentially prevented over 100 wildfires.

Wildfire efforts recognised

Damian continues, "Andy said he wanted to recognise the efforts of everyone who has been involved in supporting their communities during the heatwave, especially those who have gone above and beyond. He came across as very genuine and sincere. He talks in a language people understand.

"Andy thanked everyone present for their involvement and efforts in helping communities and protecting places during the heatwaves and he spoke about holding a wildfire summit to ensure that people had access to the right support for their various roles.

"It's heartening to know that our team's wildfire prevention activities are being recognised by the current government. It was honour to represent all the rangers and volunteers that have worked so hard putting out and/or preventing fires this summer, but as you can see from the photos, Larry the Downing Street cat was the real star of the show."

According to Damian, Larry the Downing Street cat seemed to enjoy the occasion as well.

Help if you can!

BMC Head of Access & Environment, Dr. Cath Flitcroft, says, "It's very positive news that the Prime Minister is taking an proactive approach to how we as a country pull together to manage ever increasing temperatures, especially in relation to wildfires devastating the landscapes that we all love. As walkers, climbers and mountaineers, we can all do our bit to be vigilant around fires, by not creating or using things with naked flames in our hills during high-risk seasons, and supporting people and organisations protecting the moorlands from wildfire."

The BMC Access & Conservation Trust aims to raise further funds to extend Damian's role into 2027 and beyond, share our collaborative, preventative model with National Parks nationwide, purchase more drones to help patrol and stop fires and amplify wildfire prevention education on social media.

Please donate now to the BMC Access & Conservation Trust now if you want to fund direct, efficient and high-impact action to protect the Peak District, the National Parks and the UK's most beautiful places from wildfire.

Protect the Sheffield Moors from Wildfire

Help us raise £50,000 to continue the Wildfire Engagement Officer role and protect the Peak District from wildfire.

A terrifying 81.2 hectares (114 football pitches!) of this beautiful moorland, including the popular walking and climbing areas of Stanage, Burbage, Froggatt and Curbar Edges, has been lost to wildfire since 2018.

Wildfire renders beautiful hillsides ugly and charred, kills myriad animals and destroys their habitats, risks the lives of fire fighters (many of whom are volunteers) and pollutes the air we breathe.

Help prevent wildfires with the BMC

With the BMC you can provide even more support to this cause by joining, volunteering, fundraising and donating.

  • Read our Wildfire - high risk information page here.
  • Join the BMC’s Get Stuck In volunteer programme to plant sphagnum moss in the Peak District with Moors for the Future Partnership, helping to rehabilitate and rewet the landscape. Click here.
  • Donate free of charge to the BMC Access & Conservation Trust through EasyFundraising here.
  • Donate to the BMC Access & Conservation Trust to fund our current Wildfire Appeal. We would like to extend the Wildfire Engagement Officer role and provide the team with fire-detection drones, educational signage and rehabilitate the damaged moorland. Donate here.
  • Join Wildfire Engagement Officer Damian's volunteer patrol groups in the Peak District, send an email FAO Damian here.
  • Become a BMC member. Your support protects access to crags and mountains and helps landscape conservation work like this. Join here.
  • If you'd like to make a lasting impact on the landscape long after you've left this world, please consider leaving us a legacy.

Thank you for your support of the BMC and the BMC Access & Conservation Trust. Together we can safeguard the UK’s stunning hills and mountains for all to enjoy and protect them from wildfire for future generations.

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